At a promotional RRP of $11,990, the Benelli Leoncino 800 Trail is one of the cheapest ways to get a full-size, 750cc-class scrambler in New Zealand. It looks great and has a solid spec sheet. It isn’t a polished bike, though, and the “Trail” name promises more than the bike really delivers. Here’s what you get and what you give up.
What is it?
The Trail is the rugged version of Benelli’s Leoncino 800 roadster. It has the same 754cc parallel twin and trellis frame. Benelli then adds:
- a 19-inch spoked front wheel and a 17-inch rear, both tubeless
- Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR dual-purpose tyres
- longer-travel 50mm upside-down forks (about 140–148mm)
- wider, higher bars
- a small headlight fly screen
- a high-mounted twin exhaust
You can get it in Forest Green, Rock Grey or Terrain Brown, and it comes with a 2-year warranty.
The engine: punchy, but rough around the edges
On paper the liquid-cooled twin makes 76hp (56kW) at 8,500rpm and 67Nm at 6,500rpm. That’s a real step up from the LAMS 500s. Reviewers describe it as perky and flexible. It pulls cleanly from around 2,000rpm and has an appealing bark. The six-speed gearbox shifts easily, and the slipper clutch helps on hard downshifts.
The weakness is refinement. Several testers describe the engine as raw next to the Honda CB750 Hornet or Suzuki GSX-8S. NZ testing found vibration creeping in above about 80km/h. By open-road speeds the bars tingle and the mirrors blur, so if you spend a lot of time at 100km/h, you’ll notice.
Chassis and handling: fun on back roads, basic underneath
The wide bars make it light and eager to change direction, and the upright riding position gets consistent praise. On a twisty road it’s an enjoyable bike.
The suspension is where the price shows. The chunky 50mm forks look the part but have no adjustment at all. One reviewer found them over-damped and harsh over short, sharp bumps. The rear shock only lets you adjust preload (plus rebound, according to some sources). It’s decent, but basic.
The tyres look great and suit gravel roads, but they give up a little grip and lean angle on tarmac.
Weight and seat height
This isn’t a light bike. Benelli quotes 234kg dry, and testers have measured around 224–233kg ready to ride. That’s roughly 25kg more than the Leoncino 500, and it blunts the extra power. The 834mm seat is tall too, although reviewers say it’s easy to get on. Shorter riders should test-sit it before buying.
Brakes
The brakes are well specced for the price:
- front: twin 320mm semi-floating discs with radial four-piston monoblock calipers
- rear: a single 260mm disc
- ABS front and rear
Stopping power is good once the brakes are warm, but the first bite feels soft. They aren’t Brembos, but they do the job.
Electronics: barely any
You get ABS and that’s it. There are no riding modes, no traction control and no cornering ABS. Many rivals now include at least some of these. The TFT dash is clear, but it shows little information, and one NZ reviewer found its mirrored tacho graphic more distracting than useful.
Is it really a “trail” bike?
Benelli says the bike has an “off-road soul”. That’s a stretch. The 19-inch front, spoked wheels and semi-knobbly tyres make it more confident on gravel roads and farm tracks than the road Leoncino. But it has:
- non-adjustable forks
- a low-slung engine
- no switchable ABS
- weight north of 220kg
Think of it as a scrambler-styled road bike that handles gravel, not an adventure bike. If you want real trail ability, look at proper ADV or dual-sport machines.
Comfort and practicality
The riding position suits everyday riding, and the bike is comfortable for its class. With no real wind protection beyond the small fly screen, though, long motorway stints get tiring. The 15L tank gives a sensible but not huge range. Overseas testers estimate about 55mpg (around 5L/100km).
Ownership considerations
Build quality is generally described as decent, with nice tactile touches like the steel tank and aluminium side panels. Some find the lion-head styling details a bit gaudy.
The bigger questions are long-term:
- Benelli’s dealer network is smaller than the Japanese brands’.
- Long-term reliability is less proven.
- Resale values typically trail the mainstream makes.
Factor that in if you plan to sell within a few years.
The verdict
What’s good:
- strong value at $11,990 (it was around $14,000+ at launch)
- characterful, punchy twin
- distinctive Italian styling
- quality brake hardware
- comfortable, upright ergonomics
- 19/17 spoked wheels and dual-purpose tyres
What’s not:
- vibration at highway speeds
- basic, non-adjustable front suspension
- heavy for the class
- tall 834mm seat
- minimal electronics
- limited real off-road ability
- question marks over resale and dealer support
Bottom line: The Leoncino 800 Trail is a lot of bike for the money. It’s a good fit if you want a stylish, fun 750cc-class scrambler for back roads and the odd gravel detour, and you value character over polish. If you want refinement, modern rider aids, or real trail capability, spend more or look elsewhere. Rivals like the CFMoto 700CL-X range offer similar value. Book a test ride, spend some time at 100km/h, and decide whether the vibes are character or a deal-breaker.
Price and specifications are from Benelli Motorcycles NZ at the time of writing. Pricing is promotional and may change, so check with your local dealer.
